Public holidays in Belgium for a coach trip

Which days are public holidays by law in Belgium, when they fall this year and next, and why it pays to request a coach early for those days.

Public holidays in 2026

New Year's Day: Thursday, 1 January 2026 (already passed)
Easter Monday: Monday, 6 April 2026 (already passed)
Labour Day: Friday, 1 May 2026 (already passed)
Ascension Day: Thursday, 14 May 2026 (already passed)
Whit Monday: Monday, 25 May 2026 (already passed)
Day of the Flemish Community: Saturday, 11 July 2026 (not a public holiday by law for a private company) (already passed)
Belgian National Day: Tuesday, 21 July 2026 (already passed)
Assumption Day: Saturday, 15 August 2026 (already passed)
All Saints' Day: Sunday, 1 November 2026 (falls on a Sunday: a replacement day is given)
Armistice Day: Wednesday, 11 November 2026
Christmas Day: Friday, 25 December 2026

Public holidays in 2027

New Year's Day: Friday, 1 January 2027
Easter Monday: Monday, 29 March 2027
Labour Day: Saturday, 1 May 2027
Ascension Day: Thursday, 6 May 2027
Whit Monday: Monday, 17 May 2027
Day of the Flemish Community: Sunday, 11 July 2027 (not a public holiday by law for a private company)
Belgian National Day: Wednesday, 21 July 2027
Assumption Day: Sunday, 15 August 2027 (falls on a Sunday: a replacement day is given)
All Saints' Day: Monday, 1 November 2027
Armistice Day: Thursday, 11 November 2027
Christmas Day: Saturday, 25 December 2027

Why a trip on a public holiday often costs more

Belgium has ten public holidays by law. On such a day an employee is in principle not allowed to work, and is still paid. A coach company may deploy its drivers, but they are then entitled to compensatory rest: another day off in its place. That is why a trip on a public holiday costs a coach company more than on an ordinary working day, and many companies pass that on in their price. How much that is varies from company to company; ask about it in your request.

A public holiday is also a day when many groups want to go out at the same time. On Ascension Day, Whit Monday or 21 July, clubs and families head for the seaside or the Ardennes, and coaches are soon fully booked. If you plan your trip for such a day, it is best to request the coach well in advance.

Two things are different from the Netherlands: there is no Boxing Day and no King's Day, and 21 July and 11 November are public holidays. The Flemish holiday on 11 July is a day off for the Flemish government and for schools, but not a public holiday by law for a private company.

A public holiday on a Sunday

If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, employees get a replacement day on an ordinary working day. Which day that is, is set by the joint committee, the works council or the company itself; so that day differs from company to company.

What the law says about public holidays

An employee may not be put to work on ten public holidays a year, and the employer still pays for those days.
Where Sunday work is permitted, an employee may work on a public holiday; he is then entitled to compensatory rest.
A public holiday that falls on a Sunday must always be replaced by an ordinary working day.
The replacement day is set in the first place by the joint committee; failing that, by the works council, and otherwise within the company itself or in agreement with the employee.

Source: FOD Werkgelegenheid (Belgian federal employment department), public holidays, read on 9 October 2026.

School holidays in Flanders

Autumn half-term: from Monday 2 November up to and including Sunday 8 November 2026.
Christmas holidays: from Monday 21 December 2026 up to and including Sunday 3 January 2027.
Spring half-term (krokusvakantie): from Monday 8 February up to and including Sunday 14 February 2027.
Easter holidays: from Monday 29 March up to and including Sunday 11 April 2027.
Ascension Day: schools are closed on Thursday 6 and Friday 7 May 2027.
Summer holidays: from Thursday 1 July up to and including Tuesday 31 August 2027.

Source: Flemish government, school holidays, read on 9 October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Questions about public holidays and your coach

Does a coach trip on a public holiday cost more?

Often, yes. A driver who works on a public holiday is entitled to compensatory rest, another day off in its place, and many coach companies pass that on. How big the difference is, the coach company tells you itself.

Is 11 July a public holiday for a coach company?

Not by law. It is the holiday of the Flemish Community, a day off for the Flemish government, but for a private company it is an ordinary working day, unless the company makes it a day off itself.

Are Easter and Whitsun themselves also public holidays?

They are Sundays, and those are not listed separately. The Monday after, Easter Monday and Whit Monday, are public holidays by law.

Why is the Friday after Ascension Day not on the list?

Because it is not a public holiday by law. Schools in Flanders are closed that Friday, though, and many people take a bridge day; expect it to be busy.

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